AN ACT REQUIRING A STUDY OF NATURAL GAS RATES FOR COMMERCIAL AND AGRICULTURAL CUSTOMERS.

Plain English Breakdown

The bill summary and digest do not provide specific details about the funding of the study or subsequent actions after the report is submitted.

Natural Gas Rate Study for Commercial and Agricultural Users

This act requires the Commissioner of Energy and Environmental Protection to study natural gas rates for commercial and agricultural customers with intermittent peak monthly demand.

What This Bill Does

• Requires the Commissioner of Energy and Environmental Protection to conduct a study on natural gas rates, including demand charges, for certain businesses and farms that have intermittent peak monthly demand.
• The commissioner must determine if these customers are being charged unfairly based on their usage patterns due to demand charges.
• If unfair charges are found, the commissioner must provide detailed recommendations on how such charges may be recalculated or otherwise applied to these customers.
• By January 15, 2027, the commissioner needs to send a report with recommendations to the joint standing committee of the General Assembly having cognizance of matters relating to energy and technology.

Who It Names or Affects

• Commercial and agricultural natural gas customers who have intermittent peak monthly demand.

Terms To Know

Intermittent peak monthly demand

The highest amount of energy used in a month by a customer, but only for short periods of time.

Limits and Unknowns

• Does not specify how the study will be funded.
• Does not provide details on what happens after the report is submitted to the committee.

Official Summary Text

To require the Commissioner of Energy and Environmental Protection to conduct a study of rates for commercial and agricultural natural gas customers who have intermittent peak monthly demand.

Current Bill Text

Senate Bill No. 246

Special Act No. 26-4

AN ACT REQUIRING A STUDY OF NATURAL GAS RATES FOR
COMMERCIAL AND AGRICULTURAL CUSTOMERS.
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives in General
Assembly convened:

Section 1. (Effective October 1, 2026) The Commissioner of Energy and
Environmental Protection shall conduct a study of natural gas rates,
including, but not limited to, any applicable demand charges, for
commercial and agricultural natural gas customers who have
intermittent peak monthly demand to determine if a significant number
of such customers are charged rates that do not fairly reflect such
customers' use due to such demand charges. If the commissioner
determines that such demand charges have the effect of unfa irly
increasing rates for such customers, the commissioner shall provide
detailed recommendations concerning how such charges may be
recalculated or otherwise applied to such customers. Not later than
January 15, 2027, the commissioner shall submit a report, in accordance
with the provisions of section 11-4a of the general statutes, that contains
such recommendations to the joint standing committee of the General
Assembly having cognizance of matters relating to energy and
technology.
Governor's Action:
Approved May 11, 2026